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Press Regarding Lamb of God Recovery Centers

From The South Florida Sun Sentinel

By Melissa Hoyos | South Florida Sun-Sentinel | August 12, 2007

Pompano Beach Matthew Zimmer couldn't stop drinking and using cocaine.

By the time he was 21, police had repeatedly arrested him on drug, alcohol, shoplifting and other charges. He had worn out his welcome at home.

Sick of his behavior, his parents bought him a one-way ticket four years ago from their home in New York to Pompano Beach. It was a last-ditch attempt to help him. Zimmer played a role in that decision by choosing Lamb of God Ministries, a Pompano Beach recovery center. He's been clean ever since and now volunteers at the center.

"The things that I learned here were things that I had been taught to do as a kid, but for some reason I chose not to do those things," said Zimmer, 25, who decided to stay in Pompano Beach. "I needed to come here and learn those principles."

For 18 years, the center on South Dixie Highway has helped about 1,000 men kick drugs and alcohol.

Men who sign up for the program live for at least six months at the center, where they attend church services and try to beat their addiction through a 12-step program. They also must find a job, pay rent, do chores and follow house rules. The building resembles a college dormitory, with stacked bunk beds in the bedrooms, an upstairs kitchen, showers, laundry and TV area.

On a recent Friday, men arrived at the center from their construction, warehouse and yard work jobs. Some hung out in the lobby and smoked cigarettes outside near the door.

Mervel "Doc" Smith, 55, recently signed up for the program to fight his drug addiction. He must agree to random drug and alcohol tests, perform house chores and obey an evening curfew.

"So far it's good," he said of the center. "Staying away from the old crowd is really important to me ...that fellowship around people that are sober, you know. If you hang out with the same people you will get the same result."

Several men entered the program after they were released from prison. The center holds a long-standing contract with the state Department of Corrections, said Mike Lewandowski, the owner of Lamb of God Ministries.

Lewandowski is fighting an ongoing lawsuit that could take away his Department of Corrections contract to help people in Pompano Beach and at a sister facility in Okeechobee. The Council on Secular Humanism, a nonprofit organization, claims the contract violates a Florida Constitution provision that bans state revenue from helping churches or religious denominations. The council and two private citizens filed the lawsuit in May in Leon County circuit court.

"We are not pushing our beliefs on anybody," Lewandowski said. The center accepts men of all religious backgrounds, or who have none, he said.

The recovery center has seen other problems over the years. The city threatened to shut down the building in 1997 because Lewandowski hadn't fixed fire and safety code violations. He eventually raised money for the repairs.

Despite those problems, the center's graduates say Lewandowski and his staff helped them stay sober.

Fitzroy Soares, 50, graduated from the 12-step program. He came to the center seven years ago for alcohol treatment. He lives with other ex-addicts at a nearby house that is owned by Lamb of God.

"My life was powerless, my life was unmanageable and I was tired. I wanted a new way of living," Soares said. "And this is where God sent me."

Former alcoholics also make up the staff and volunteers at the center.

Rob Bauer, the center's administrator, and Stan Anderson, clinical director, oversee the day-to-day operation. Together, they make sure the men get a job to pay the $150 weekly rent and show up to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and Sunday services at the center's in-house church. They keep an eye on men so they aren't tempted back into drugs and booze.

Staff kick out men who break the rules, which include missing curfew or relapsing. They can return on a case-by-case basis, Bauer said.

Anderson also supervises the men and starts his day at 8 a.m. He gives them change for the bus, sees them off to work and does group orientation with new people.

"Out of all the things I do, group [orientation] is the most powerful.... because they are starting to get real," he said. "Reality is the biggest thing we run away from."

Men who stay at the center may see it converted to a licensed-treatment facility. Lewandowski, who is hoping to one day receive the required state accreditation, said the change in status would allow the center to treat nonresidents for anger management, drug use and other problems.

"God told me to do this," he said. "I'm going to do this no matter what the obstacles are."

Copyright © 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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Testimonials

John M.

My name is John M and I was released from F.S.P. after 7 1/2 yrs. I went to Lamb of God Pompano, and let them and the Lord make my decisions for me for the next 6 months. No, it was not easy! My pride and ego kept getting in the way. And yes, I still wanted to use! But a protective calmness began to come over me and things slowly began to get better. I now live in Pinehurst N.C., as a sales manager for a Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealer, not a drug dealer!!!! Amen!!! I'm now able to welcome my family for visits, enjoy my new relationships, wake up in the morning with money in my wallet, and go to work!!! I still hit my knees in the mornings and go to meetings. My son is back in my life. My life! I have my life back! What a gift from GOD, and the Lamb of God. I love you guys.

Leroy D.

My whole life before I went to prison was a living nightmare; in and out of institutions, jails, hospitals and always trying to end my own life. Satan had a very, very strong hold on me. God changed my life when he put me in prison. He did that for my own good so I would have my eyes open so I can see where my life has come. I had to change my way of living. I know God and Jesus but then I only know them in the worst way. I know I had to change or my heart and mind body and would be taken by Satan. My faith had to change, faith in something besides the faith in only myself and thinking that nobody cares for me. My faith had to change from Satan to God my new father and new brother. First I was depressed and hating and not caring but only two weeks into the year I got saved. This time I wanted it because I knew I had to change and change fast. When I wanted my father and brother in my life and the right way of living a wave of fullness in their spirit in me knowing them for the love and caring I added to my heart was made of light and not of darkness. I had to be me but I wanted to change my life I wanted more of the good news of the words of my father and my brother. I had become a new baby and a new way of living a fantastic way of living men at the prison were all different good and bad but as I lived with them we all became friends because no matter what they did to come there I knew deep down inside they were all good and a child of god. My year went fast and before long the day came for me to get out I was scared at first I had $100 dollars on me and the chance to get something to drink. But I knew if I did I would end up right back where I was. The only way to go and that way was Gods way. God’s way was clear thinking. My feelings of God were stronger my journey had become inside prison I was safe from real life.

Outside prison I know I would overcome all. I came to a house of God a rehab I know I needed help in my journey to freedom. I came to the Lamb of God here in Okeechobee Florida. Here I learned how to act of my faith and how to be a child of god, a new baby in Christ Jesus. I learned that whatever I did in the past to my father and brother that they have already forgiven me. Their love and understanding has made me stronger by the second of my life. I stayed at the Lamb Of God about 10 months, I needed to know all I could about a life of a drug-free person and how to act like how to read, listen be the child of god that I know I was on the inside of me I just needed to bring the word of God in my life and this time mean it with my hole mind, body, heart and soul. My whole life is getting better and better. I met a man when I was at the Lamb of God that I know God had sent me. He is a good and just man of God and my new best friend. He has shown me a way of living I could only dream of before. How to work on staying full of God the Lord is my strength I praise him all the time. I have been healed of things that would have taken weeks to heal in just a couple of days. That is the power of God and Jesus. My new earthly family has been a blessing in it’s self that have helped me through bad times but the help always comes from my father and brother. I have a great job, a truck a home but more important is that I have a new spirit within me. I know Jesus died for me, I know by His stripes I have been healed now and forever. All I need is to keep my faith, a pure faith and let nothing darken my heart. By believing in things I know I have them when I ask in Christ Jesus’ name. The whole world is better and brighter. My name is Leroy D. and this is the year that changed my life. In Jesus’ name I pray the good news will come to you.

Get Educated About Addiction

FACT: Of the 26 million people in the United States who are substance abuse addicts, less than 10% are in treatment for their disease. 85% of those who are incarcerated in the U.S. have substance abuse problems and typically receive sentences without treatment.

Some Misconceptions

Once it was thought that a person was addicted to a drug only if he needed the drug daily, or if he went through withdrawal symptoms (vomiting, seizures, cramps, death) when he abruptly stopped using the substance. It was thought that alcoholics and addicts were unemployed, poor, and from the inner city. These are misconceptions. Many addicted people do not use drugs or alcohol daily and do not experience physical withdrawal when they stop using. The majority of addicted people are employed and appear to be functioning normally. Another misconception dealt with the differences between physical and psychological addiction. Physical addiction was thought to be the determining factor in addiction, and little attention was paid to psychological addiction. For example, many people believed that cocaine was not a dangerous drug because it was psychologically, but not physically, addictive. The cocaine epidemic in this country broadened the understanding of addiction. It is now known that all addictions are characterized by physical and psychological changes. Addiction is far more than physical or psychological dependency. Drug addiction is a complex brain disease that is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and on behavior. For many people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence.

Charachteristics of an Addict

Loss of Control: The user cannot predict what will happen when he uses the substance. One day he may be able to stop after one drink or after one line of cocaine. The next day he may not be able to control his use at all.

Compulsive Preoccupation: The addict spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance.

Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences: If drinking or drug use causes problems, but the user continues to do it, he is tempting addiction or is already addicted. The person has lost voluntary control of the use of that substance.

A nonuser or casual alcohol/drug user may have difficulty understanding why addicts don't just stop. Use and abuse of psychoactive (mood-altering) drugs seem to be voluntary; addiction seems to be characterized by involuntary, compulsive use. In most cases, addicts don't stop because they are addicted; they cannot stop on their own. A person may start out taking drugs voluntarily. But as times passes, and drug use continues something happens that makes a person go from being a voluntary drug user to a compulsive drug user. Why? Because the continued use of addictive drugs changes your brain - at times in dramatic, toxic ways, at others in more subtle ways, but often in ways that result in compulsive and even uncontrollable drug use.

Signs of Addiction

If a person is compulsively seeking and using a drug despite negative consequences, such as loss of job, debt, physical or mental problems brought on by drug abuse, or family problems, then he or she is probably addicted. The following are simple screening questions that health care professionals who screen for drug use employ to detect substance abuse:

What Causes Addiction?

There has been controversy over the cause of addiction. Historically, it was thought that addiction was caused by lack of willpower, by poverty, moral weakness, mental illness, genetics, family socialization, anti-social personalities, and societal problems. Today addiction is seen as a disease; and like any other disease, many factors contribute to it.

Drug addiction is a brain disease. Every type of drug of abuse has its own individual mechanism for changing how the brain functions. But regardless of which drug a person is addicted to, many of the effects it has on the brain are similar: they range from changes in the molecules and cells that make up the brain, to mood changes, to changes in memory processes and thinking, and sometimes changes in motor skills such as walking and talking. And these changes have a huge influence on all aspects of a person's behavior. A drug can become the single most powerful motivator in a drug abuser's existence. He or she will do almost anything for the drug. This comes about because drug use has changed the individual's brain, their behavior, their social and other functioning in critical ways.

The Drug

Some drugs are more addictive than others. This is due to the pharmacology of the substance, and how it affects the mood of the user.

The User

The genetics of the user and his overall self-concept contribute to the potential for addiction. A person from a family with alcoholic or drug-addicted parents is twice as likely to develop an addiction. Studies are now being done to learn more about the genetics of addiction, and to develop early intervention programs for people who have a greater potential for becoming addicted.

Intervention - How to Help

An addict usually does not know he is out of control. He looks at his drug-using peers and his own use appears normal in comparison. He needs objective feedback on his behavior.

It was once thought that an alcoholic or other drug abuser had to "hit bottom" before help could be offered and accepted; that an addict could only get better if he was self-motivated to change. This has changed to the view that a skilled professional counselor can motivate an addict toward recovery. This is called intervention.

Intervention is a process that helps an addict recognize the extent of his problem. Through a non-judgmental, uncritical, systematic process, the addict is confronted with the impact of his alcoholism or drug use on others. The goal of intervention is for the addict to accept the reality of his drug- or alcohol-impaired lifestyle and to seek help. Most prevention and treatment facilities can help arrange an intervention and assist the addicted person and his family in finding appropriate treatment.

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide continuing support for people with drug and alcohol problems. These "fellowship" programs exist in most communities and are free of charge. The only requirements are a willingness to choose total abstinence, and acceptance of recovery through fellowship with other recovering people, one day at a time. Fellowship groups are a valuable resource for the addict, his family and friends. The telephone numbers of local chapters of AA, CA, and NA are in the phone book.

Conclusion

Drug abuse is the excessive use of legal mood-altering substances and the use of illegal drugs. Addiction is the extreme end of a continuum that starts with the first use of drugs or alcohol, and progresses through experimentation and abuse to addiction.

Professional treatment and prevention programs and community-based organizations are available to help the addict and his family. These resources can help with education, intervention, and treatment of the addict and those who care about him.

To find a treatment program in your community, call 1-800-662-HELP

REFERENCES:

NIDA For Teens: http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov/
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment, National Institute on Drug Addiction, October 1999.